Aonuma Talks Wii U Zelda, Suggests He’s Selling Out Motion Plus Control

This month’s Nintendo Power is a celebration of all things Nintendo, and that means The Legend of Zelda, too. Eiji Aonuma sat down with the official mag to talk about ideas for a Wii U installment of the series, and how the tablet controller might be used to freshen up the series. He seems really animated about using the new controller in the next Zelda game because it offers two-screen options that simply aren’t possible with the 3DS’s split-screen handheld setup, where the screens can only exist side-by-side.

Beyond using the touch screen for inventory selection, Aonuma also seems pretty confident that it could be used effectively in representing Link’s items and weapons, similar to the Wii Motion Plus setup we see in Skyward Sword. I however think differently – if anything, the Wii U controller is a huge step back from the advancements of Motion Plus, at least for the Zelda series. Here’s the direct quote from the man himself:

I really think [having two screens is] one of the most exciting features of the system. Unlike the Nintendo DS, there’s distance between the television and you and your other screen. That really allows for some different interactions, some of which you saw [at E3]. For example, imagine having the contents of Link’s satchel available to you on the screen of your controller, and using elements of the pouch to interact with gameplay on the television.

With The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, we had the Nunchuck and Wii Remote sort of stand in for the sword and shield that Link carries. But in a game for the Wii U, I can definitely see something like the controller itself becoming the different items that Link is using, allowing you to interact with the game world and with the game items in a very different way.

While I definitely understand (and agree with) Aonuma on the subject of the two screens offering more possibilities and opportunities than we had with the DS, I don’t think that the inventory system is that much more advantageous on a touch screen compared to the Wii Motion Plus setup in Skyward Sword. The Wii Motion Plus system felt wicked fast in comparison to the touch screen inventory in Ocarina of Time 3D, which requires that you stop the action so you can swap out items. I doubt a touch inventory system in Wii U Zelda would be all that different.

I’m also not a fan of the idea that the Wii U controller would replace Wii Motion Plus as an emulation of the items themselves. I mean, really, do you think I’m going to enjoy using the tablet as my bow? What about bombs, are we going to have to go back to button presses for those, too? And don’t tell me we won’t be given the same freedom with the sword we have in Skyward Sword – I can’t see that translating well to tablet control. The gyroscope aiming works wonders in the handheld space, where motion controls are still brand-spanking new, but where we already have an excellent custom Zelda console play framework built and ready it seems like trying to reinvent the wheel yet again is going to inevitably turn out forced.

Besides, didn’t Aonuma say last year that Wii Motion Plus was going to be the new standard for the series? It seems like he’s going back on what he said, and breaking his promise for the future of the franchise.

This is the first time that I can remember that I’ve been this vehemently opposed to a new direction for the series. I was fine with the ocean exploration in Wind Waker, the multiplayer in Four Swords and its sequel, the motion controls in Twilight Princess and the stylus control and vehicles in the DS games – but I’m not okay with this idea. I’m not okay with a Nintendo that forgoes providing additional content for fans they’ve already gained. I’ve already invested myself in the idea of Wii Motion Plus and come out head over heels in love, and now Nintendo expects me to discard all that excitement and focus on yet another control scheme? How about serving seconds first? After all, if they expect people to love Wii Motion Plus, certainly they shouldn’t be opposed to more Wii Motion Plus.

But, just like they ignored the Super Mario Bros. crowd for two whole console generations in favor of the drastically less successful 3D Mario games and threw all their money behind 3D only to come out struggling thanks to slow 3DS sales, I’m worried Nintendo’s losing touch with what it means to serve their customers.

Source: Nintendo Power via NintendoEverything